Discover Authentic Irish Soda Bread at Park Ridge Bakery

A bakery run by a Filipino-American family may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering authentic Irish soda bread. But that’s exactly what the owners of a small bakery in downtown Park Ridge said they are making.

Leslie and Maridel Anama and their children Migz Anama, 29, and Kylie Anama, 25, operate Mrs. A’s Cupcakes and Cookies, 6 Northwest Highway. With a grin, Leslie said he was Irish.

“I’m Irish on the 17th,” he said. “And on Paczki Day, I’m Polish.”

Maridel Anama, known to her customers as Mrs. A, said they used an authentic Irish soda bread recipe, which included specific types of buttermilk, butter, raisins and soda.

“It’s the best in the world,” Leslie said.

The Anamas opened their bakery in Park Ridge about a year ago, but are no strangers to the business. Maridel's family operated a bakery in the Philippines before they moved to the U.S.

Ask them about their baking past, and Leslie and Maridel will proudly point out enlarged photographs in a corner of the store of elaborate cakes they made for Imelda Marcos’ wedding.

The Anamas operated a bakery in Winnetka for more than 10 years, they said, a bakery in Old Orchard for a year, and a bakery in Northbrook for three years.

The bakery the family opened in Park Ridge is owned by Migz and Kylie, Leslie said.

“We work for them,” Leslie said. “It’s time.”

In addition to Irish soda bread, Mrs. A’s is currently serving shamrock cookies, St. Patrick’s Day smiley cookies and Bailey’s Irish cream cookies.

“We have to card you for those,” Kylie said.

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